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Shadow World #2
Clock Strikes Sword
A new novel based on the fantastic role-playing universe Shadow World. On an island, two nations exist in a fragile peace: the warlike Firozians, famed for their magical swords, and the gentle Gnomons, known for their precision clocks and power over time. They face off for war following the death of a young boy, but they are soon united against a common enemy.
- GenresFantasy
Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
About the author
Stephen Billias
9 books2 followersStephen Billias is the published author of seven fantasy novels, one collection of short stories, and a literary novel, Pilgrim Maya, that he wrote with his wife Bela Breslau. His newest novel, The Zen Time Traveler: A Pilgrim's Journey Through the Koans, a spiritual Zen time travel fantasy, is being released by Discovery Publisher on June 21st, 2026.
Stephen is a MacDowell Fellow. He has worked as a professional actor, street-performing juggler, dishwasher, New York City taxi driver, technical writer, and project manager. He is a longtime practitioner of the esoteric Japanese martial art Shintaido. He lives in Deerfield Massachusetts where he and Bela established and ran the Shintaido Farm, a spiritual retreat center for the practice of Shintaido, from 2006-2016.
For the last fifteen years, Stephen has studied Tai Chi with renowned teacher Wolfe Lowenthal. He sits with the Boundless Way Zen group in Northampton, Massachusetts, where he is often jiki (practice leader) or doan (bellringer). A former student of the legendary Roshi Bernie Glassman, Billias brings a rare combination of historical rigor and spiritual authenticity to his prose.
Stephen is a MacDowell Fellow. He has worked as a professional actor, street-performing juggler, dishwasher, New York City taxi driver, technical writer, and project manager. He is a longtime practitioner of the esoteric Japanese martial art Shintaido. He lives in Deerfield Massachusetts where he and Bela established and ran the Shintaido Farm, a spiritual retreat center for the practice of Shintaido, from 2006-2016.
For the last fifteen years, Stephen has studied Tai Chi with renowned teacher Wolfe Lowenthal. He sits with the Boundless Way Zen group in Northampton, Massachusetts, where he is often jiki (practice leader) or doan (bellringer). A former student of the legendary Roshi Bernie Glassman, Billias brings a rare combination of historical rigor and spiritual authenticity to his prose.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 16, 2019
This book is abolutely terrible. Even when considered outside of the context of the Shadow World setting, which it seems to have nothing in common with in any way.
March 9, 2013
It seems completely determined to puncture every bit of tension or construction. Fifty opening pages set up the violent conflict between Firoze and Gnomon, only to have its first battle interrupted/prevented at the last minute--in a single page of action--by the appearance of an unanticipated third party aggressor. The events that triggered this nascent war then resolve, also in about a page or two. Gnomon "time magic", as laboriously detailed at its introduction, is eventually overshadowed by a more general and well-worn form of witchcraft.
October 5, 2013
Pretty good book. I am really curious to find some info on the setting. I really want to read the spell lists of the Gnomanese Clockmakers Guild.
About the book, though, it read well despite a slow start. The characters were interesting and the action fun. I would have liked some more depth to the characters, but the characterization thatbis present gets the job done.
About the book, though, it read well despite a slow start. The characters were interesting and the action fun. I would have liked some more depth to the characters, but the characterization thatbis present gets the job done.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews